5.28.2009

ROD "THE MOD" STEWART


Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter born and raised in London, England and currently residing in Epping. He has Scottish and English parentage.

With his distinctive raspy voice, Stewart came to prominence in the late 1960s and early '70s with The Jeff Beck Group and then Faces. He launched his solo career in 1969 with his debut album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (US: The Rod Stewart Album). His work with The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces proved to be influential on the formation of the heavy metal and punk rock genres, respectively. Both bands were also pioneers of blues-rock.

With his career in its fifth decade, Stewart has achieved numerous solo hit singles worldwide, most notably in the UK, where he has garnered six consecutive number one albums and his tally of 62 hit singles include 31 that reached the top 10, six of which gained the number one position. He has also had 16 top ten singles in the USA, with four of these reaching number one. His most-known solo hit singles are "Maggie May", "You Wear It Well", "Sailing", "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)", "Forever Young" and "Rhythm of My Heart."

In 1969 I discovered Rod Stewart. Visiting Michigan from Jacksonville Alabama, I heard a song at a friend's home that had the most unique voice I had ever heard in my young teen life. Scrambling to find the album cover I found a treasure trove of Rod with the Faces and Rod just launched a new album solo. They were both out of this world and my life was changed forever. Begged my mother to drive me to the record store (only place to buy records back then) and I bought the Yellow Album



Then I bought Gasoline Alley and then grabbed the album that featured Maggie May Rod's biggest hit, Every Picture Tells a Story.

Playing the records over and over until my grandmother lost her mind became my new obsession. Love every song on every one of these records.


Rod was "The Mod" because had the coolest "mod" hair cut and was the most stylish of the British Invaders. He ws totally different looking and sounding than any other rock singer of the day. I couldn't wait to take these records back to Alabams for my friends to hear.

When I got home I discovered that my friends had all discovered Elton John and Creedance Clearwater Revival. Though I kind of liked them too, for my money my first crush on a rocker was directed squarely toward Rod "The Mod" Stewart. All my babysitting money went to Rod too.

Happy as I am for Rod's continued success singing standards etc. I fell out of love when Rod launched into Disco territory Hot Legs and such weren't very good and I lost all interest after that time.

I really wanted a video of Ooh La La with the Faces or Rod singing Gasoline Alley. I did find GA sung with no music... boring and lot's of covers of Ooh La La boring.

But I did find a gem to share with young retro viewers and turn back time with my peers.

Here is Young Rod "Sailing" in action.

 

 Couldn't resist showing you guys this video of Rod surprising Jeff Beck on stage 

 

3 comments:

Beth said...

Ohhh, I love Rod, too! I always thought he was really hot, mainly because of that hair and that sexy voice. While his disco days were a bad choice (at least musically--he definitely made some big bucks), I thought some of his subsequent stuff was top rate, and one of my favorite songs of his remains "Downtown Train." I got to see him several years ago in Indianapolis, and he put on a fine show--great entertainer. It was fun to see him kick the soccer ball at the end of the show--I'd always read about his trademark, and it was great to see it for real!

Retro Kimmer said...

I saw him in Toledo and Detroit in 1977 and there were tons of soccer balls I think. Kinda fuzzy. He was fabulous
My favorite is Every Picture Tells a Story and Reason to Believe. Cours I love the FACES too.

kimi said...

"I LOVE ROD STEWART!!! always have and always will!! I saw him at Tiger Stadium way back in the 90's!! what a great show and the air was electric with Rod fans! WE all went crazy with Maggie May!!"

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